Apparatus for filling containers

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for filling containers with flowable product, such as ice cream, includes a plurality of carrier and frame assemblies which are configured to respectively receive the containers to be filled. Notably, each carrier of each assembly has a vertical dimension which is substantially greater than that of the associated container, with the carrier, and associated container, being vertically movable with respect to the associated carrier frame. By this arrangement, the carrier frame desirably acts in cooperation with the carrier to stabilize the container against lateral forces to which it is subjected, thereby facilitating filling of the container, and in particular, wiping of each container against an associated filling nozzle at the conclusion of filling.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to an arrangement for facilitating filling of containers with flowable product, such as ice cream, and more particularly to an apparatus which includes a plurality of container carrier and carrier frame assemblies each of which function to securely support and stabilize a container as it is moved, both vertically and horizontally, during filling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rotary and in-line filling machines, such as for filling containers with flowable products such as ice-cream, can be configured to include carrier-like pucks to transport containers of various shapes as the containers are filled. Examples of such arrangements are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,305,496, to Hoppmann, U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,661, to Hoppmann, U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,789, to Linner, U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,302, to Mueller, U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,762, to Bliss, U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,052, to Pawloski, U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,077, to Schmitt, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,288, to Merz, all of which patents are hereby incorporated by reference.

Serially filling containers with flowable product, such as ice cream, typically entails moving the containers into and out of association with a filling nozzle from which the product flows. Typically, the product is pumped into each container by a suitable pumping apparatus, with various techniques employed for ensuring that the proper quantity of product is received in each container. For example, each container can be time-filled, under pressure, with a suitable cut-off nozzle. Product can also be weight-filled, with a scale and cut-off nozzle. The product can also be extruded, and cut by a wire, or cut by wiping the container against the rim of the nozzle. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,007,486, and 5,787,687, hereby incorporated by reference, illustrate preferred techniques for filing flowable product such as ice cream in straight-walled and tapered-wall containers.

Advantages associated with these filling techniques are well-recognized by those familiar with the art. Heretofore, these various filling techniques provided the versatility necessary for efficiently filling containers with flowable product. However, the advent of “ultra-cold” or “slow churn” ice creams has complicated the use of these filling techniques. In particular, the “wipe method” of filling, which is typically preferred, has only remained effective with straight-walled containers. This filling technique has proven problematic when tapered-wall containers are employed, due to the lack of side wall support during the wiping process. Experience has shown that these new types of ice creams are of such a stiff, viscous nature that the ice cream stream undesirably deforms the containers during the wipe-off process, undesirably resulting in jams, uneven fills, and other unacceptable conditions.

The present invention is directed to an improved arrangement for filling containers with flowable product, such as ice cream, wherein containers of various configurations can be securely supported and stabilized during filling and transport during filling and transport, thus greatly facilitating efficient container filling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for supporting containers during filling with flowable product comprises a carrier frame which can be mounted for movement relative to an associated filling device. The apparatus further includes a container carrier slidably positioned within the carrier frame for reciprocating, vertical sliding movement. The carrier is configured to receive an associated container, and securely retain the container therein. The carrier, in turn, is securely positioned within the associated carrier frame, and is stabilized against lateral forced to which it is subjected, while still permitting relative vertical movement of the carrier and the associated container, relative to the carrier frame.

In an illustrated embodiment, an apparatus for filling containers with flowable product comprises a rotary carousel movable about a generally vertical axis. However, it will be understood that an apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention can be configured for in-line, non-rotating movement.

In the illustrated embodiment, the carousel includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced ones of the carrier frames, and a plurality of the container carriers respectively positioned in the carrier frames for vertical, reciprocating movement.

In a presently preferred embodiment, each container carrier comprises a generally cylindrical member having an exterior surface configured for sliding contact with the respective carrier frame during vertical movement of the carrier. Each carrier further defines an interior support surface, for engaging and supporting a respective one of the associated containers. By this arrangement, the container is desirably retained and stabilized as the carrier and container are moved vertically, in unison, relative to the respective frame, to thereby facilitate filling of each of the containers with flowable product.

As will be appreciated, the carrier acts to stabilize the container by acting as a bearing surface which bears against and cooperates with the associated carrier frame. To this end, each of the carriers preferably has a vertical dimension which is substantially greater than a vertical dimension of the associated container, with the carrier thus being maintained in load-bearing relationship with the carrier frame attendant to relative vertical movement.

To facilitate alignment and retention of each container in an associated carrier, the upper portion of the interior surface of each of the carriers is preferably downwardly, inwardly tapered. This configuration not only provides the desired stable support of tapered-wall containers, but additionally, desirably functions to guide each container into its respective carrier as it is positioned therein for filling.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the carrier frames includes an upper frame portion, which can be mounted on the carousel or other conveyor of the associated filling apparatus, and a lower frame portion positioned beneath the upper frame portion. In a presently preferred embodiment, a plurality of spaced apart vertical frame supports extend between the upper and lower frame portions. The associated carrier extends downwardly through the upper frame portion, and preferably through the lower frame portion when the carrier is in its relatively lowered position. The vertical frame supports preferably together define an interior dimension which closely corresponds to the exterior dimension of the associated carrier, thereby permitting relative vertical sliding movement of the carrier while stabilizing the carrier against lateral forces to which it is objected.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary filling apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, side-elevational view of a carrier and frame assembly embodying the principles of the present invention, which can be employed in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the carrier and frame assembly of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a top, plan view of the carrier and frame assembly.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a container carrier and associated frame illustrating movement of the carrier, and an associated container, with respect to the frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, a presently-preferred embodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.

With reference first to FIG. 1, therein is illustrated an exemplary filling apparatus 10 embodying the principles of the present invention. As will be further described, filling apparatus 10, which is configured for rotary movement of containers C for effecting filling with flowable product such as ice cream, includes a plurality of carrier and frame assemblies embodying the principles of the present invention. Features of the filling apparatus 10 will be well-known to those familiar with the art. Additionally, it will be recognized that frame and carrier assemblies configured in accordance with the present invention can be employed on a filling apparatus other than one configured for rotary movement and filling of containers, such as wherein in-line, i.e., linear, movement of the containers, attendant to filling, is effected. As will be appreciated, a principal virtue of the carrier and frame assemblies of the present invention is secure and stable handling of containers, including containers having tapered-wall configurations, to facilitate wiping of filled containers with respect to an associated filling nozzle, even if the associated product is relatively stiff or viscous.

With further reference to FIG. 1, filling apparatus 10 includes a rotary carousel 12, having an upper carousel plate 14 within which are mounted a plurality of carrier and frame assemblies 16 embodying the principles of the present invention. A suitable carousel drive 18 effects indexed movement of the rotary carousel 12, whereby containers carried by each of the carrier assemblies 16 are selectively positioned, and vertically and laterally moved, with respect to an associated filling nozzle of the apparatus 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the carrier assemblies 16 comprises two principal components, that is, an interiorly positioned container carrier 20, and an associated carrier frame 22 mounted for movement on the rotary carousel 12.

Carrier 20 is preferably of unitary, one-piece construction, and can be formed from suitable polymeric material, as may be suitable for container filling under sanitary conditions. As illustrated, carrier 20 is of a generally cylindrical, hollow configuration, that is, being open-ended. As illustrated, the exterior surface of the carrier 20 is cylindrical, and terminates at an upper flange 24 by which the carrier is supported within the associated carrier frame 22. As further illustrated, the interior surface of carrier 20 has an upper portion 26 which is downwardly, inwardly tapered, or otherwise configured so as to conform to the exterior configuration of an associated container, which typically may have a tapered side wall configuration.

In the preferred form, the carrier 20 has a vertical dimension which is substantially greater than a vertical dimension of an associated container. Typically, an associated container would only extend slightly below the inwardly tapered upward portion 26 of the interior surface of the carrier, with the carrier 20 typically being as much as twice the height of an associated container. As noted, the configuration of the carrier 20 desirably cooperates and coacts with a tapered wall container so as to securely receive and support the container within the carrier. At the same time, the inwardly tapered upper portion of the carrier desirably acts to guide the container into position within the carrier.

Each carrier 20 is carried within a respective one of the carrier frames 22 for reciprocable vertical sliding movement, thus functioning as a bearing for the container against lateral loads exerted against the container such as during wiping cut-off of product flow. To this end, the carrier frame 22 thus provides an outer bearing surface against which the exterior of the carrier 20 can act to stabilize lateral loads exerted on the associated container.

To this end, carrier frame 22 includes an upper frame portion 28, and an lower frame portion 30, positioned beneath the upper frame portion. Upper frame portion 28 is preferably suitably flanged so as to facilitate mounting in the associated conveying apparatus, such as carousel 12. Additionally, the upper flange 28 engages and retains the flange 24 of carrier 20 when the carrier 20 is in its lowermost position with respect to the carrier frame.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the carrier frame 22 further includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced vertical frame supports 32 which extend between and connect upper frame portion 28 and lower frame portion 30. In the illustrated embodiment, four of the frame supports 32 are provided in a spaced-apart configuration, at 90 degree intervals about the carrier frame. In order to provide the desired bearing cooperation between the carrier 20 and the carrier frame 22, the frame supports preferably define an interior dimension of the frame which closely corresponds to the exterior dimension of the associated carrier. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the frame supports 32 has a cylindrical configuration, but it will be appreciated that specific features of the carrier frame 22 can be varied while keeping with the principles disclosed herein.

From the foregoing, operation of the present apparatus will be readily appreciated. Each of the carrier assemblies 16 receives a respective one of the containers to be filled, with the carrier 20 positioned in its lowered position with respect to the associated carrier frame 22. During container filling, the carrier 20, and associated container, are typically positioned at a raised position with respect to the carrier frame 22, with the relative length of the carrier 20 acting to provide the desired bearing-like action against the interior of the bearing carrier frame 22 to stabilize the associated container against lateral forces to which it is subjected, particularly attendant to wiping of the container against an associated nozzle at the conclusion of container filling. The open-ended configuration of the carrier 20 thereafter facilitates the displacement of the filled container from within the carrier 20.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concept of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiment illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover, by the appended claims, all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims. 

1. An apparatus for successively filling tapered containers each having a tapered configuration with flowable product, comprising: a rotary carousel movable about a generally vertical axis, said carousel including a plurality of circumferentially spaced carrier frames, and a plurality of container carriers respectively positioned in said carrier frames for vertical, reciprocating movement, each said container carrier comprising a generally cylindrical member having an exterior surface configured for sliding contact with the respective carrier frame during vertical movement of said container carrier, each container carrier further defining an interior support surface, for engaging and supporting a respective one of said containers, to thereby support the container as the container carrier and the respective container are moved vertically, in unison, relative the respective carrier frame, to thereby facilitate wipe filling each of said containers with flowable product, the upper portion of the interior surface of each of said container carriers being downwardly. inwardly tapered for cooperation with a respective one of said tapered containers.
 2. An apparatus for filling containers in accordance with claim 1, wherein: each of said container carriers has a vertical dimension which is substantially greater than a vertical dimension of each one of said containers.
 3. (canceled)
 4. An apparatus for filling containers in accordance with claim 1, wherein: each of said carrier frames includes an upper frame portion, and a lower frame portion, and a plurality of spaced apart vertical frame supports extending between said upper and lower frame portions, the respective one of each of said container carriers being supported by said upper frame portion, and extending downward through said upper and lower frame portions.
 5. An apparatus for filling containers in accordance with claim 4, wherein said vertical frame supports together define an interior dimension of each said carrier frame which closely corresponds to the exterior dimension of the associated container carrier to permit relative vertical sliding movement of the carrier while stabilizing the container carrier against lateral forces to which it is subjected.
 6. An apparatus for filling containers in accordance with claim 5, wherein each of said frame supports is cylindrical.
 7. An apparatus for supporting containers during filling with flowable material, comprising: a carrier frame, and a container carrier positioned with said carrier frame for reciprocating, vertical movement, said container carrier having a generally hollow, open-bottom configuration, with a interior support surface thereof dimensioned to engage and support an associated container, so that said container carrier and the container move vertically relative to said frame to facilitate wipe filling of the container with flowable product, an interior surface of said container carrier corresponding in configuration to an exterior surface of the container, and an upper portion of an interior surface of said container carrier being downwardly, inwardly tapered.
 8. An apparatus for supporting containers in accordance with claim 7, wherein: an exterior surface of said container carrier has a generally cylindrical configuration.
 9. (canceled)
 10. (canceled)
 11. An apparatus for supporting containers in accordance with claim 7, wherein said container carrier has a length which is substantially greater than the vertical dimension of said frame.
 12. An apparatus for supporting containers in accordance with claim 7, wherein: 6p1 an exterior surface of said container carrier has a cylindrical configuration, said frame defining an inside dimension of said frame substantially equal to an outside diameter of said carrier to permit relative vertical sliding movement of the carrier while stabilizing the carrier against lateral forces to which it is subjected.
 13. An apparatus for supporting containers in accordance with claim 7, wherein: said carrier frame comprising an upper frame portion and a lower frame portion, and a plurality of spaced apart support members extending therebetween.
 14. An apparatus for supporting containers in accordance with claim 13, wherein: each of said support members has a cylindrical configuration.
 15. An apparatus for supporting containers in accordance with claim 7, wherein: said frame includes four of said spaced support members at 90 degree intervals about a vertical axis of said frame about which said support members are positioned. 